PBM Kawasaki's Tom Sykes has said he feels the expectations of other people are adding to the pressure on him and his PBM Kawasaki team to perform at World Superbike level even though they are still working with a brand new bike.

The Huddersfield youngster admitted he didn't have the outright speed or race package at the Monza but adds he is sure that with time and hard work, he can make the 2011 Z~X-10R work.

“We didn’t have the speed or the race package to work with this weekend obviously there is some work to be done. We all need to pick our heads up and stay focused and positive. I think people may expect a lot of us very early in the season with a new bike and I think that is putting a bit of pressure on," said Sykes.

"I will keep my head down and keep working and I am still confident we can make it work. I got caught up in the crash at the first chicane and lost time on the exit, which made things harder. I think I had a bit of a bit better pace early on if I had got latched onto a leading group.”